The Only Women’s Pro Hockey League in America Plays On
New York Times' Seth Berkman looks into the current state of things with N.W.H.L. After a number of Olympians and global level stars left the league to support PWHPA (Professional Women's Hockey Players Association), others have stayed on their teams despite the league's low salaries (the highest announced salary is $15,000) and slow growth. However, there's no ill will towards boycotters from the N.W.H.L. players.
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| Members of Boston Pride before their N.W.H.L. season opener this October. Source: nytimes.com |
Although there's been no official communication between N.W.H.L. and PWHPA, there's hope that eventually there's going to be a unison, one league that would get the long-desired support of NHL, increased pay, more sponsors, and live television coverage.
A UMaine women’s field hockey game was cut short for football fireworks.
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| Umaine women's field hockey team |
The Division I players for the Maine school were preparing for the second overtime when they were asked to leave the field because of the preparations for a football game fireworks display.
“I personally felt like we were being told that our hard work meant nothing in comparison to fireworks before a football game.”
Riley Field, number 11
The team captain says the message is clear - the work the women had put into that game was worth less than a celebration for the man's football game. The incident was quickly spread online by supporters of both teams, and the National Field Hockey Coaches Association issued a statement in which Kent State was asked to do some soul-searching and take responsibility for their poor decision. Ohio Kent State University's president called the halting the game "a regrettable decision" and also announced an investigation by the school's Office of Compliance. However, less than a month later it was stated that Kent State found no Title IX violations or gender-related bias.
Riley Field wanted other young women in sports to know they have to be persistent and not be intimidated by the limitations others might want to put on them.
Nneka Ogwumike on WNBA misconceptions and salary transparency
President of the WNBA players union Nneka Ogwumike confesses that a lot of the things she is currently fighting for might not be achieved in her career, accepting some of what she's doing now is for the next generations.
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| Nneka Ogwumike |
One thing she hopes could be achieved is the investment - into the players and into the game because for the players it translates into salaries. Also, Nneka hopes one day going to play overseas is not going to be a priority for the players. At the moment, a lot of players make more overseas than they do in the US. She also regrets that people would say that nobody's watching the women's game simply because it is not true. Earlier in our blog, we talked about the idea of men and boys supporting women's sports - or, to be precise, a good game where it doesn't matter if it's male or female.
Most importantly, the WNBA's fight is paving the way for other leagues - like the W.N.H.L. struggle that we covered in this post.
Surfer Bethany Hamilton is living 'an unstoppable life'
In 2003, when she was 13 years old, a young surfer from Hawaii lost her arm in a shark attack. 26 days after the attack she was back on the board. Two years later she was a national champion.
Bethany Hamilton is an example of a person resilient to the extent where nothing is impossible. Her life-long passion for surging keeps her going despite the hardships. Her achiever-mindset played a great role in her journey to the top of surfing.
Now a mother of two boys, she tackles new obstacles every day. Her philosophy of dealing with one wave at a time is also her practice in daily life.
Her life, passion, and unique positive perspective can now be seen in the documentary "Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable".
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| Bethany Hamilton is a role model and an inspiration to others |
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